This page relates “bull incarnation of shiva (vrishabha)” as found in the Shiva-purana, which, in Hinduism, represents one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. This work eulogizes Lord Shiva as the supreme deity, besides topics such as cosmology and philosophy. It is written in Sanskrit and claims to be a redaction of an original text consisting of 100,000 metrical verses.

Nandīśvara said:—

17. O sage, on hearing those piteous words of Viṣṇu, lord Śiva favourably disposed to his devotees spoke to Viṣṇu.

Śiva said:—

18. O Viṣṇu, O intelligent one, how is it that you did not know me? Why did you fight? Your intellect has completely been depraved.

19. Why don’t you realise yourself as one whose exploit is dependent on me. You should not have indulged in sexual dalliance there. You should have refrained from all misdeeds.

20. Why should your intellect be subservient to lust? That you should indulge in dalliance with women does not behove you, O lord of gods. Remember the task of uplifting the universe.

Nandīśvara said:—

21. On hearing those words of Śiva that imparted knowledge Viṣṇu was ashamed of himself and then he spoke to lord Śiva respectfully.

Viṣṇu said:—

22. My discus is here. I shall take the discus and return to my region abiding by your order with reverence.

Nandīśvara said

23. On hearing the words of Viṣṇu, lord Śiva the protector of virtue in the guise of a bull, replied to Viṣṇu again.

24. You shall go away quickly from this place. You shall not delay, O Viṣṇu, this is my behest. Let your discus stay in this world itself.

25. I shall give you a discus more terrible than the sun at the time of dissolution and more efficacious than the words of Śiva.

26. After saying this Śiva created another blazing discus, as lustrous as the Kāla fire, for the destruction of the wicked.

27. He gave the discus, as lustruous as ten thousand fierce suns, to Viṣṇu, the great Ātman, the protector of the gods and the leading sages.

28. After securing another Sudarśana discus of more brilliance, Viṣṇu the foremost of intelligent gods spoke to the gods.

29. “O ye gods, you listen to my statement eagerly. You must act accordingly and immediately. It will be to your advantage.

30. There are many youthful maidens in the nether regions exquisitely dressed. Any one of you can go and indulge in sexual dalliance with them,”

31. On hearing these words of Viṣṇu the valorous gods became desirous of entering the nether regions along with Viṣṇu.

32. Knowing their intention then, lord Śiva angrily cursed all the eight[1] types of the gods.

Śiva said:—

33. “Excepting a quiescent sage and the Dānavas born of my parts whoever enters this place shall die in a trice.”

34. After hearing these terrible words which are conducive to the increase of the benefit of human beings, the gods thus restrained by Rudra returned to their own abodes.

35. Thus Viṣṇu who was excessively indulgent in women was chastised by Śiva. O Vyāsa, he returned to heaven. The world attained normalcy.

36. Lord Śiva, favourably disposed towards his devotees, returned to his mountain after carrying out the task of the gods in the guise of a bull.

37. Thus the bull incarnation of Śiva that dispelled Viṣṇu’s delusion and caused happiness to the three worlds, has been narrated.

38. This narrative is sacred. It dispels the harassment from enemies. It is conducive to the attainment of heaven, fame and longevity. It confers worldly pleasures and salvation to the good.

39. He who listens to this with devotion and narrates this with purity enjoys all pleasures here and attains salvation hereafter. So also is the case with him who reads or teaches this to intelligent men.